On the home stretch now...
KARMA
Home town: Adelaide
Captain: Joel Pillar
Qualified: 3rd from South
Last year: 10th
If there's anyone who talks a big game, it's Joel Pillar. He has a long history of making stupid bets that rarely pay off (next time you see him, ask about the Uni Games bet he made with Piers Truter a couple of years ago). However after he predicted Flinders' success at AUG last year, I'm inclined to believe him when he says that this year's Karma squad is the best team to have ever come out of the GMT +9:30 timezone. After seeing them at Regionals, I'm prepared to back Joel's claim - this is the best team Karma have fielded. If they can avoid relying on Joel all the time to dig them out of trouble they should be able to make the top eight.
Key player: Alec Deslandes
Joel was a bit obvious. Alec has been a dominant receiver in the uni game for quite some time and is confident enough to back himself in any aerial contest.
Keep an eye on: Will Christopherson
Going back a couple of years, Adelaide Uni was Will and Kaz. Will is back after spending a couple of years in the wilderness and hasn't missed a beat.
SWEET CHILLY
Home town: Melbourne
Captain: James Reynolds
Qualified: 4th from South
Last year: 14th
See now I'm not sure whether I should continue with the third person or switch to first person perspective here. The strength of the Chilly program cannot be denied - they have come away with three titles this decade and have taken two teams each year, sticking with the A/B format that many other teams have avoided (Fakulti, Fyshwick 07, Firestorm 08). Last year's "development" year wasn't regarded as the success they thought it would be and have reverted to their traditional setup this year. The B's this year are domestic and foreign import heavy, with only half of the team being Melbourne natives. They had some gelling issues at Regionals, but some solid preparation should help alleviate that.
Key player: Alex Ong
Brings valuable A team experience to the B's. Quick on his feet and a smart player.
Keep an eye on: ???
I'm not going to go revealing all of our secrets now, am I? I'll give you a clue...it's not me.
HEADS OF STATE
Home town: Melbourne
Captain: Dan Rule
Qualified: 2nd from South
Last year: 5th
Heads Of State have definitely cemented their position as one of the stronger clubs on the Australian scene, but in the past have always seemed to stumble at the last hurdle. They have a highly structured and disciplined style of training and playing, and are known for being loud and energetic on the sideline. The time Dan Rule and Matt Hill spent in Seattle learning from some of the best in the business has obviously been beneficial to the club - they have adopted a lot of innovative practices and plays that mid and lower level teams will find hard to stop. They have the talent, skills and fitness to go all the way, so what's stopping them? Their ability to keep calm in the face of adversity, that's what. If they can keep themselves composed in close games, and especially in the aftermath if they lose those close games, they will go a long way. Another year just outside the top four, I think.
Key player: Owen Shepherd
It's one thing to play hard D, but it's another thing entirely to generate blocks and turnovers. That's what O-Shep specialises in.
Keep an eye on: Michael "The $25,000 Dollar Man" Stout
A tall, athletic seppo with plenty of top level experience. God, I hate using the "tall, athletic" cliche but what else is there?
CHILLY
Home town: Melbourne
Captain: Lee Baker
Qualified: 1st in South
Last year: 6th
At lot of people are saying, "He's back." Referring of course to Tom Rogacki. But I'm more inclined to say, "They're back," including Steve Campbell and Shane Vuletich in that proclomation. Their build-up has been regarded as low key following their disappointing finish at BC Invite, but most haven't realised that they won GCC without many key players, and they strolled through Regionals with Gack only playing one game (the semi final was a warm up only, apparently) and Shane not there at all. Chilly are a very fit and skillful team - no development selections have been made, with everyone having to earn their spot. Might be the bias talking, but I'm tipping them to win title number four.
Key player: John Liddicoat
Likely to be matching up on the opposition's biggest threat, leaving everyone else to run rampant.
Keep an eye on: Dan Resnick
Outstanding player coming out of Tufts University in the States.
So there's a bit of a closer look at the 25 teams competing this weekend. Coming up next, full predictions.
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